Louise of Prussia
1776–1810
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Louise was born in Hanover to a princess and a field marshal. At seventeen, she met the future King Frederick William III, where he was so impressed by her beauty and good character that he married her within the year. She was much admired by the Prussian people, particularly for her dignity and courage when faced with the hardships she encountered during the Napoleonic Wars. Before the war, the young queen rode alongside her husband at several battles, but, realizing that her country was at the mercy of the French, Louise appealed to Napoleon. The Emperor refused her request and went on to ridicule her throughout the war, but his attempts to sabotage her reputation only made her more beloved in the eyes of her people. Queen Louise died in the arms of her husband while visiting her father in Strelitz. She was buried near the palace at Charlottenburg, where a mausoleum was built over her grave.
Key events during the life of Louise of Prussia:
| Born in Hanover | |
| Met and married King Frederick William III | |
| Stood at the front line with her husband during the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt | |
| Appealed to Napoleon I without success | |
| Died in her husband's arms |
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Image Links | ||
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Queen Louise of Prussia. in Louise, Queen of Prussia |
 Queen Louise and her two sons. in Louise, Queen of Prussia |
 The cornflower wreaths. in Emperor William First |
| Prussian king during and after the Napoleonic Wars. Reformed government and military after the neglect of his father's reign. | |
| Victorious general who rose to power during the French Revolution. Crowned himself Emperor and restored France to greatness. | |
| Older brother of Napoleon who was crowned first, King of Naples, and then later, King of Spain. | |
| Prussian Field Marshall who opposed Napoleon at Leipzig and Waterloo. (At age 72!) |